The Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs (CHLSA) is a Permanent Committee within the Pan-African Parliament of the African Union. The CHLSA’s mandate is to facilitate the implementation of social development, labour and health policies and programmes across the AU and its member states by proposing regional and international cooperation strategies aimed at enhancing the well-being of African people.

Topic: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Africa’s Health Institutions to Strengthen Capacity for Disease Control and Prevention 

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) stands as a pivotal institution in safeguarding the continent against threats to public health. It was established to stand as the body of the AU that deals with surveillance of all communicable and non-communicable diseases, preparedness for any outbreaks and rapid response to unanticipated outbreaks. While the organisation has amicably served its purpose since its founding, there is an urgent need to reinforce its capacity to harmonise its influence across the health systems of the AU’s member states. Currently, many African nations face significant gaps in these areas due to inadequate resources, the widespread context of poverty, underdevelopment and conflict. These deficiencies limit the continent’s capability to respond to health threats, making it vulnerable to disease outbreaks. 

Without the institutional capacity to enact its policies in member states, the continent risks facing severe public health crises that could lead to widespread loss of life, economic disruption and decreased workforce. Covid 19 highlighted the impact of unprepared health institutions, and without the proper resources, similar or greater threats could have a more devastating impact in the future. 

African states must come together, leveraging the expertise and knowledge accumulated through regional bodies to strengthen the Africa CDC. Strengthening this institution involves securing stable funding, improving infrastructure, and leveraging technological advancements. By reinforcing institutional capacity through these collaborations, Africa can build resilient health systems capable of protecting its population from current and future health threats.

The Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment is one of the 11 permanent committees within the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). It primarily focuses on three critical areas: rural economy, agriculture, and the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment. More specifically, it considers the development of common regional and continental policies in the agricultural sector; assists the Parliament with the harmonization of policies for rural and agricultural development; and promotes the development of policies, and the implementation of programmes of the Union relating to natural resources and environment. 

Topic: Strengthening Institutional Frameworks for Climate Resilience and Natural Disaster Preparedness 

Climate-related disasters have nearly doubled in the past two decades, affecting over 4 billion people globally. With approximately 60% of its total population residing in rural areas, Africa is particularly vulnerable to these disasters. Rural communities are often the hardest hit by climate change impacts – including droughts, floods and extreme weather events – due to their reliance on agriculture and limited resources such as infrastructure, institutions, information and finances. This discourse is aimed at developing adaptable, efficient and sustainable institutional frameworks that enhance preparedness, strengthen infrastructure and community resilience, and foster collaboration among African nations to share best practices and resources. Delegates within this committee are expected to engage actively and collaborate in devising innovative and actionable resolutions to improve climate resilience and natural disaster preparedness.

The Committee on Financial and Monetary Affairs is responsible for overseeing the AU’s financial framework, including budget review and recommendations. It advises the Parliament on economic, monetary, and investment policies that support Africa’s economic integration. The Committee monitors the implementation of the AU and PAP budgets, identifying challenges and proposing solutions to strengthen Africa’s financial institutions and drive economic growth across the continent. 

Topic: Driving Economic Integration: Strategies for implementing the four African Union’s Financial Institutions 

The African Union (AU) envisions a unified and economically integrated continent, as outlined in the Abuja Treaty and in goal N°9 of its agenda 2063. Central to this vision are four key financial institutions: the African Central Bank (ACB), the African Investment Bank (AIB), the African Monetary Fund (AMF), and the Pan-African Stock Exchange (PASE). These institutions are essential for building a unified monetary policy, promoting investments, facilitating trade, and creating a cohesive financial market across Africa. However, despite the adoption of protocols for the AIB and AMF, and progress towards the ACB, implementation has been hampered by political, economic, and institutional challenges. This committee will explore strategies to operationalize these institutions by addressing barriers, mobilizing resources, and ensuring governance. Delegates will also examine the socio-economic impacts, the reasons for delays, and the role of political consensus and international partnerships in driving these initiatives forward.

This committee deals with policy development for cross-border, regional, and continental issues within the African Union. It focuses on harmonizing trade policies to enhance the participation of Africa in global markets and supports the African Continental Free Trade Area, in an attempt to boost intra-African trade. On customs, the committee works in updating and digitizing procedures to reduce trade barriers and enhance efficiency in the movement of goods. The committee addresses issues on immigration through the formulation of policies that govern migration and combat illegal immigration. These policies are set to ensure conformity with the wider objectives stipulated by the AU. Through the committee’s work, there has emerged an increasingly integrated and economically prosperous Africa. 

Topic: Enhancing Africa’s Role in Global Trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 

The AfCFTA is changing Africa’s place within global trade by a unified continental market that will comprise over 1.2 billion people. This historic agreement, reached by nearly 50 countries, promises to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs on most goods, keeping custom procedures straightforward, and integrating economic activities across the continent. AfCFTA would enhance Africa’s competitiveness in the global platform by harmonizing trade rules and removing barriers, thus creating attractiveness for investment and provoking economic growth. This agreement will grant African businesses easier access to regional markets, motivate cross-border investments, and ensure industrial and infrastructural development. With AfCFTA, Africa is bound to improve its status in world trade and command sustainable economic development.

The Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, and People with Disabilities is one of the permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). This committee primarily focuses on issues related to gender equality, family, youth, and people with disabilities. Specifically, its functions include working on policies and activities that promote gender equality across the African Union, overseeing the development of policies related to family and youth, and ensuring their needs and rights are addressed. The committee also focuses on the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, working towards creating a more inclusive society. Their most recent work includes “Achieving Women’s Development through a Gender Parity Model Law.” Another significant initiative is the African Model Law on Disability, adopted by African Parliamentarians in 2019.

Topic: Strengthening Legal Frameworks to Combat Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa. 

As Dr. Beth Dunford stated, women and girls are Africa’s hope and future, with the potential to drive the continent’s economic development and prosperity. Despite comprising over half of Africa’s population, many have lost their lives, confidence, productivity, and ability to provide for themselves and their families due to gender-based violence. In Eastern and Southern Africa alone, 42% of women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes. This topic aims to explore the legal frameworks addressing this issue, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Maputo Protocol, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Delegates are expected to be well-prepared and actively engage in discussions that will shape the future of our continent.

With the goal of integrating the grass-roots levels of society into policy-making and implementation, the African Union established ECOSOCC in July 2004. It is an advisory body of the Union: comprised of civil society organisations (representatives of social and professional groups) from member states mandated to advise on the translation of AU policies and goals into effective programs. ECOSOCC serves as an amplifier of voices from civil society and offers consultancy to the Union. 

Topic: Strengthening Partnerships Between Civil Society Organisations and Governments to Address Pediatric Non-Communicable Diseases. 

As representatives of stakeholders who are often not in the driver’s seat for policy-making in national development, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) serve a major role in advocating for and monitoring the implementation of programs aimed at equitable healthcare for marginalized communities. In November 2023, Doctors Without Borders Africa (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) worked with governments in Mozambique and Kenya, among others, in a campaign that succeeded in making a tuberculosis (TB) drug more affordable. That feat shows how effective collaboration is, especially with the affected constituency involved. Drawing on existing policies, delegates are expected to review the limitations in those strategies and recommend how CSOs and governments of member states can better position themselves to work towards a single goal- improving access to healthcare services and products in rural areas. 

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) is the standing decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts. It is the key pillar of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), a framework for promoting peace, security and stability in Africa, and has the responsibility to facilitate timely and efficient responses to conflict and crises in the continent. The PSC became fully operational in early 2004 after the adoption of the PSC protocol in Durban, South Africa, in 2002 and has since formed an integral part of the peace-keeping and peace-building operations in Africa.

Theme: A Fully Functional and Operational APSA 

Focus: The Crisis in The Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Reappraising State and Regional Commitments to the Common African Defence and Security Policy.

The Common African Defence and Security Policy emphasises the “indivisibility of the security of African States” and the collective responsibility to ensure the security of the continent as a whole. Further, the policy aims at the promotion of “mutual trust and confidence among African States” and the elimination of “suspicions and rivalry among African States, a factor that has traditionally engendered conflicts on the continent and hindered interstate cooperation and integration”. The Crisis in the North Kivu region of the DRC, however, poses a significant challenge to the attainment of these objectives considering the increasing suspicion of neighbouring countries’ involvement in the conflict and the withdrawal of regional troops from conflict zones. 

The purpose of the PSC this year will be to assess and evaluate state commitments to upholding peace and peace-building initiatives and to propose and redefine policies to ensure collective responsibility in resolving conflicts in the Eastern region of the DRC. As the main pillar of the APSA, the PSC will strive for actionable policies that will enhance the operation and impact of the AU in resolving the decades-long conflict in the DRC.

The African Court is the judicial arm of the African Union and one of the three regional human rights courts, the others being the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It was established to protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa principally through judicial consideration of human rights complaints. 

Case Application: 001/2024 – ECOWAS & another v. Burkina Faso. 

In this pivotal case, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Nigeria have brought legal action against Burkina Faso before the African Court. The case focuses on the recent situation in West Africa and Burkina Faso’s decision with Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS. In addition, ECOWAS and Nigeria argue that Burkina Faso’s actions have significantly contributed to regional instability and human rights violations. They claim that Burkina Faso has failed to uphold its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly concerning the rights to security, freedom from violence, and socio-economic development. Moreover, the withdrawal alongside the consequential influence of the regional situation violates the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s actions could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other member states to follow and therefore affecting the regional bloc. On the other hand, Burkina Faso and its allies defend their decisions by highlighting ECOWAS’s perceived failure to address the escalating political instability. This case will examine the legal and political implications of Burkina Faso’s withdrawal, the obligations of member states under the ECOWAS Treaty, and the broader impact on regional stability from a human rights lens.

The Specialized Technical Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science, and Technology provides a platform for African leaders and experts to strategize on leveraging science, technology, and innovation (STI) to advance industrialization and economic growth across the continent. It focuses on implementing continental strategies such as the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (African Union 2022), aiming to enhance industrial capabilities and competitiveness through sustainable development practices and digital transformation.

Topic: Accelerating Economic Transformation through STI-driven Industrialisation

 Africa seeks to enhance its economic growth by leveraging science, technology, and innovation (STI) to boost industrial output and agricultural productivity. For instance in the agricultural industry: despite possessing a significant portion of the world’s arable land, Africa’s output remains low, highlighting opportunities for STI to enhance industrial efficiency and value addition. Delegate’s discussions will focus on integrating digital technologies like AI and IoT into manufacturing processes, building robust digital infrastructure, and developing specialized skills through STEM education. Delegates will also explore strategies to overcome investment barriers and foster innovation ecosystems, emphasizing youth participation and aligning with Agenda 2063’s goal of sustainable, inclusive economic development. Delegates are expected to propose actionable plans for national and continental policies that drive STI-led industrial transformation across different sectors